|
Cultivating Courage
“Courage gives us a voice and compassion gives us an ear. Without both, there is no opportunity for empathy and connection.”
– Brené Brown
Webster defines courage as, “The ability to do something that you know is difficult or dangerous.” While this definition is true and correct, it fails to illustrate the depth of emotional and physical struggle required to truly cultivate courage.
Many aspects of our current lives seem especially uncertain. However, even in the best of times, life is tentative. We wake in the morning, and although we may have made schedules and plans, we have no real idea what is going to happen throughout our day. We may feel as if we have a decent grip on the short-term, but we realize and respect the possibility that our best-laid plans might be derailed at any given moment. One phone call, one email message, one news story and the new, next thing on the calendar becomes something we had no idea we would need to face. When it comes to the long-term, there are far too many unknowns to have any real sense of certainty about what is in store for us.
How might we cultivate the courage required to face our daily lives? Author Brené Brown says the following about courage in her book, Daring Greatly:
"Courage is a heart word. The root of the word courage is cor - the Latin word for “heart.” Courage originally meant “To speak one’s mind by telling all one’s heart.” Today that means:
• Talking about how we feel
• Asking for what we need
• Being ourselves
• Being kind to others who are trying to be themselves
• Learning how to be brave and afraid at the exact same time
A heart word. Not a word related solely to the daring and the outwardly, overtly brave, but to everyone who has a heart. A word that defines simple of acts of living in a wholehearted manner."
So, talk, ask, be sincere and kind while embracing your fears right along with the courage you cultivate. Most importantly, begin each step in this process with your whole heart.
Read on to discover a few ways we are courageously moving forward here at HWF, as we wish each of you the courage required to meet your days. May all be well!
Sincerely,
Your Friends at Healer Within Foundation
Chronic Pain: 5th Saturday Gathering Recap
PAIN is a public health problem. It:
• Affects at least 100 million American adults*
• Costs society $560–$635 billion annually
• Federal and state costs almost $100 billion annually
*From Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, 2010 (https://www.iprcc.nih.gov/sites/default/files/IOM_Pain_Report_508C.pdf)
Pain is a reality of life, but for some people, pain can “take over” and become chronic. At our most recent 5th Saturday Gathering on the Cloud, longtime Qigong and Tai Chi teacher, Josie Weaver, shared scientific evidence that shows Qigong and Tai Chi are useful interventions for people in chronic pain. Josie has worked with chronic pain patients at functional restoration programs at San Francisco Bay Area pain centers since 2014 and shared how and why Qigong and Tai Chi are effective components of patient-based multi-disciplinary programs that address the psychology and biology of the chronic pain patient.
Having majored in cognitive science and trained in mind-body modalities, Josie avidly studies neuroscience and finds that mind-body practice helps people in chronic pain situations manage their condition better than using opioids and medications or surgical procedures alone.
Our sincere thanks to Josie Weaver for presenting - and to HWF Board Member, Kele Baker, for hosting - this helpful and informative session!
If you missed the live meeting, catch up now with a video replay. Located through the HWF Facebook Page or at the Healer Within Foundation YouTube Channel. While you are there - be sure to "like and follow" us on Facebook and/or "Subscribe" to our YouTube Channel. Also, to receive information about upcoming 5th Saturday Gatherings and receive links to additional 5th Saturday resources, such as PowerPoint slides and reference articles, please complete the sign up HERE. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you again on the cloud!
Two Ways You Can Help HWF
Help us continue to bring self-care practices and training opportunities to more individuals. Consider making a tax-deductible contribution today at www.healerwithinfoundation.org/donate OR
Purchase one (or several) of our new, "Self-Care is Health Care" t-shirts available now at www.bonfire.com/hwfhealer. These shirts have been so popular, we have extended the ordering window through Monday, June 8th. Thank you!
LIVE Practice Sampler Sessions
We are excited to announce our Live Practice Sampler Sessions will continue (at least) through July! So far, these online practice videos have been viewed thousands of times - and the reach continues to grow as they continue to be shared.
A BIG thank you to our volunteer LIVE Sampler Session leaders. Because of you, we are reaching more people than ever with these powerful and healing, mind/body/spirit practices.
Sampler Sessions last approximately 30 minutes and all are welcome to attend. Be sure to "Like" and "Follow" the Healer Within Foundation Facebook Page to receive our Live Session notifications and to be able to watch along. Click HERE for a full schedule of HWF Live Practice Sampler Sessions.
HWF YouTube Channel Is Growing - Please Subscribe!
We're happy to announce, HWF now has our own YouTube Channel, which allows you to access our Sampler Sessions and other future HWF video content through this popular and highly-accessible medium. Our video library available there is growing fast!
To allow our YouTube presence to grow - and to be sure you are notified when we add new content - please visit the HWF YouTube channel page today and click 'Subscribe". There is no cost to become a subscriber and we would sincerely appreciate your support!
Virtual Practice Group Listing
HWF has created a centralized list on our website of low ($10 or less per class) or no-cost online classes/practice groups, aka Virtual Practice Groups (VPG's). There are now over 20 leaders listing their VPG's on our site...and the list continues to grow!
A centralized list allows a greater audience for current online offerings and makes it easier for practice group participants to find online VPG opportunities! A directory of VPG's allows NEW connections to be formed. Experience new teachers and leaders and engage with more students and group members. Geography no longer matters, which means more people practicing and more wellness everywhere!
See the full list at our site: www.HealerWithinFoundation.org/vpglist and check back often as new classes and groups are being added regularly!
Are you currently leading Tai Chi/Qigong practice online? To have your group/class included in the online Virtual Practice Group listing, please send the following information to [email protected]:
- Teacher/Leader Name - Who is leading the VPG? Contact email address and telephone number?
- Day and Time of VPG - Be sure to let us know your local time zone!
- Access Information - How does someone join your group? Do you have a Zoom meeting ID or other access code to share? Should participants email or call you to request access?
- Fee - Is there a cost to attend your sessions?
- Additional Information - Does your VPG have a special focus such as Veterans, Senior Citizens, Parkinson's patients? Is the class open to all? Please let us know (30 words or less) and we will list these important details, too.
HWF Website Login Instructions - Please Read!
We'd like to invite you to explore the Healer Within Foundation website! We continue to add new content, most recently launching the HWF Blog, which we hope you will read and add your comments, too. To login, you will first need to set up your password. Click here to update your Password. Once updated, you can login here, using your Username - - and new Password.
While you are logged in, please complete your profile (it is searchable to help other HWF community members find you)! Logging in allows you to make a donation securely, see our community member-only content such as the files on the Organize an Event page and to sign up for events such as the Gathering in the Cloud meetings.
|
